Novato Councilman Appointed As California's Chief Service Officer

NOVATO, CA – Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Novato City Councilman Josh Fryday as California's new chief service officer. Fryday will lead California Volunteers, the state office tasked with increasing service opportunities and volunteerism throughout the Golden State.

Fryday will leave the council to take the new position, which begins Sept. 1.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent the deeply held values of our community – safety, environmental protection, civic engagement and service – throughout all of California," Fryday said in a statement.

Fryday was first elected to the City Council in 2015, and recently served as mayor in 2018.

"Councilmember Fryday has been a great leader in Novato, and we are 'Novato Proud' that his skills and abilities have been recognized at the state level,” City Manager Regan M. Candelario said in a statement.

"The city is sad to see him go, but we are confident that his allegiance to Novato will remain, and he will be able to support our local efforts from the state capital."

The City Council will have to determine how to replace Fryday.

Novato recently established a district election process, in which council members represent specific geographic areas. Fryday represents District 5.

Novato will hold its first by-district elections later this year for Districts 1, 3 and 5.